CHATHAM — Gov. Chris Christie nominated Bruce Harris to the state Supreme Court as an associate judge just weeks after he was sworn in as the Mayor of Chatham Borough on Jan. 3.

Along with Harris, an African-American Republican, Christie nominated Phil Kwon, a Korean-American assistant attorney general. Should these nominations pass the confirmation hearing process, Harris would be the first openly gay and Kwon the first Asian-American to serve on the highest court of the state.

On Monday, Jan. 23, the day the news on his nomination broke, Harris presided over only his second council meeting as mayor. He provided a brief statement explaining the events leading to the nomination.

Late last September, representatives of Christie’s administration had contacted Harris to discuss, what he thought at the time, a potential position in the Christie administration. “I was surprised” to learn that I was considered for the Supreme Court. At the time I was focused on my campaign, Harris said.

Several meetings followed in the fall, but only close family members of Harris knew about them. “It wasn’t until a couple of days after the reorganization meeting that the governor informed me that he was going to nominate me for the Supreme Court”, he said. The court vacancy will begin on March 1; however, Harris doesn’t know how long the confirmation process will take. He will continue to serve as a mayor until confirmed.

“Unfortunately, a judge can’t hold an elective office”, he said. “I worked hard to become a mayor, and hopefully, if I am confirmed, I will continue working for the borough as a non-elective volunteer.”

Regarding the nomination, he said that “it is a tremendous honor considering how many smart and skilled lawyers there are.”

Harris has been an active community member in Chatham, volunteering numerous hours for the borough. He served on the Borough Council from 2005 to 2011. He was elected as mayor last November for a four-year term. He has also served on the Environmental and Open Space Commissions as well as on the Planning Board.

Harris graduated magna cum laude from Amherst College, and with honors from Boston University Graduate School of Management. He earned his law degree at Yale.

The first appointment term to the State Supreme Court is seven years and the tenure is granted at the second appointment. The mandatory retirement age is 70.